Debating China's common prosperity with evidence from policy practice

Common prosperity has been a core theme in the Communist Party of China's governance for nearly a century, evolving from a social ideal into a strategic policy framework. Contrary to the perception that it is a recent political slogan, common prosperity reflects general and long-term commitments to addressing inequality and promoting shared development. This paper situates common prosperity within its historical trajectory and examines its implementation in China, with a particular focus on Zhejiang Province, the designated demonstration zone. Through an analysis of policy evolution, ideological shifts, and empirical cases, we argue that common prosperity is a dynamic and evolving policy framework rather than a static redistributive mechanism. While its full realization remains aspirational, its current trajectory demonstrates China's attempt to balance economic growth with equitable development. This study contributes to the debate by clarifying the conceptual foundations of common prosperity and assessing its practical implications for governance, economic regulation, and social equity through an evaluation of its policy practice.